Joy for Porteous as he lands first professional win

Golfer Garrick Porteous sunk a 15-foot birdie putt to win a tense playoff and secure his maiden professional title.

The 24-year-old from Morpeth secured the victory at the PGA EuroPro Tour’s FSC Invitational at The Astbury, Shropshire.

He carded a final-round 66 (-4) to finish ten under, tied with South African Darryn Lloyd (68, 68, 64) and Yorkshireman James Maw (65, 66, 69) on the par-70 course.

The play-off took place on The Astbury’s spectacular par-three 18th and on the first play both Maw and Porteous made par, but Lloyd found a greenside bunker and made bogey.

On the second play Maw too found the sand, but played out to within feet of the pin.

However, Porteous was well-placed on the green and putted in one for birdie and the victory, securing a cheque for £10,000 in the process.

The reigning amateur champion said: “It is great to get the first pro win. I made a slow start as a pro, missing a few cuts, but coming here and winning feels great and builds up the confidence.

“It is always nice to win and I am happy. I will see what happens for the rest of the season, I think I might get some European Tour invites and also play a few more EuroPro events. I didn’t have too long to wait before the play-off, which was good, and both times it was just a nine iron from the tee and I was able to hole the putt in the second play-off hole.”

The former King Edward VI School pupil turned pro in April after competing in The Masters.

His victory in Shropshire came on the back of him making his first cut as a professional, at the Lyoness Open in Austria. He shot 74-69-72-73 to finish tied 32nd and gain his first pay cheque as a professional.

Porteous admits that 2014 is about making the most of his invitations and gaining experience as a professional. Further European, Challenge and EuroPro tour invites are to come.